AWN Pugin

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of AWN Pugin on 1 March 1812.

Baroness Rawlings: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport's arm's-length body English Heritage, and the non-government funded Heritage Lottery Fund, continue to support projects related to AWN Pugin this year-the 200th anniversary of his birth.
	English Heritage has been working closely with the owner of Scarisbrick Hall in Lancashire for the past two years. The hall was comprehensively remodelled by Pugin in what was his first commission for a country house. Previous owners were unable to invest sufficiently in repair and maintenance, and the hall has been on English Heritage's at risk register, since 1998. The current owner is keen to repair and fully utilise the building, and English Heritage has made a financial commitment of £922,000 to support this objective.
	The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded seven projects related to Pugin, totalling £3.5 million. This includes a project in the West Midlands entitled Pugin 2012 Bicentenary Celebrations, which has been awarded just over £160,000. In the south-east, the Landmark Trust received funding for the repair and restoration of Pugin's house, The Grange.

Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will release the letter from the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service mentioned on page 48 of the Cabinet Secretary's review of papers relating to the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, regarding the medical tests that revealed al-Megrahi had terminal cancer; what was the date of that letter; and whether they agree with the statement by the Foreign Secretary on 27 July 2011 that the medical advice that led to the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was "pretty much worthless".

Lord Howell of Guildford: I refer the noble Lord to the Answers given to him on 1 March (Official Report, col. WA 287) and 1 April 2011 (Official Report, col. WA 309), which refer to the reasons why some information referred to in the Cabinet Secretary's report is not being released.
	The decision to release Mr Megrahi on compassionate grounds was made by the Scottish Government on the basis of the medical information available to them at the time. I share the observation made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), that the medical advice has not been borne out in practice.

Alcohol

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering any proposals to increase the licensing restrictions placed on alcohol home-delivery services.

Lord Henley: The Government have taken action, through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), to rebalance the Licensing Act 2003 to give stronger powers to the police and licensing authorities to take action against those who sell alcohol irresponsibly, including alcohol home-delivery services. The 2011 Act lowers the evidential burden on licensing authorities to enable them to impose conditions on the basis that they are "appropriate", instead of "necessary", for the promotion of the statutory licensing objectives. The Act also doubles the maximum fine for persistently selling alcohol to children. The Government's forthcoming alcohol strategy will set out in detail the wide range of action that we are taking to tackle the issue of excessive alcohol consumption.

British Council: Funding

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 29 November 2011 (WA 38-9), whether in the light of India's economic development they are considering reducing the amount of funding India receives from the British Council.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides grant-in-aid funding to the British Council, and works closely with the council to ensure that its strategic aims and objectives contribute to the FCO's priorities. As a charity and executive non-departmental public body, the British Council has discretion over how it allocates this grant-in-aid across its arts, education and English language programmes around the globe. In the current financial year the British Council grant-in-aid budget in India is £7.5 million. In the next financial year the planned budget is £7.6 million. In addition, the council generates income in India through an extensive programme of English language teaching and exams. British Council activity plays an important part in achieving the UK's objectives in India, in particular through cultural and people to people links, and through increasing educational ties. This work will be increasingly important as we seek to widen and deepen our relationship with India as its economy and influence continue to grow.

Coroners' Inquests

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many inquests that have either begun and been adjourned, or have not started, relate to deaths before 2010.

Lord McNally: As at 31 December 2010, the latest date for which figures are currently available, 2,282 were inquests opened by coroners in England and Wales that were reported to be still in progress at that time, and that related to deaths occurring before 2010. No information is available on inquests that had not yet opened.

Energy: Wind and Solar Power

Lord Donoughue: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the additional cost, by (1) 2020, and (2) 2050, of generating energy via wind and solar power, compared to gas and nuclear generation plants.

Lord Marland: DECC's most recent assessment of electricity generation costs can be found in the report by PB Power (2011)1, which focuses on non-renewables technologies, and the report by Arup (2011)2, which focuses on renewable technologies. An update of solar PV costs can be found in PB Power (2012)3. However, it is important to note that future solar PV costs are highly uncertain, and DECC is continuously reviewing its estimates in light of the latest evidence. All cost estimates go out to 2030.
	Table 1 shows £/MWh levelised cost ranges (based on low to high capital costs) for various generation technologies operational in 2020. The ranges do not capture sensitivities around fossil fuel and carbon prices.
	
		
			 Table 1: 2020 levelised cost ranges (£2010/MWh), at a 10% discount rate 
			  Levelised Cost £/MWh 
			 Offshore wind 111-125 
			 Offshore wind Round 3 137-166 
			 Onshore wind >5MW 78-100 
			 Onshore wind <5MW 88-116 
			 Solar PV <4KW 109-370 
			 Solar PV 250-5000kW 48-159 
			 Gas CCGT 77-81 
			 Nuclear (First of a Kind) 63-85 
		
	
	2050 cost estimates are much more uncertain and DECC has not estimated levelised costs out to 2050. Capital cost and operating cost ranges (in £/kW) have however been published as part of the DECC 2050 pathways calculator (see: http://2050-calculator-tool.decc.gov.uk/). Table 2 gives the 2050 capital cost and operating costs ranges for technologies covered by the calculator4.
	
		
			 Table 2: 2050 cost ranges (£2010/kW) 
			  Capital cost Operating cost excluding fuel 
			 Offshore wind 1,050-4,276 30-214 
			 Onshore wind (large) 822-1,858 7-75 
			 Solar PV 383-5,080 1-71 
			 Gas CCGT 445-819 15-57 
			 Nuclear 1,360-4,548 13-120 
		
	
	Levelised costs of solar PV <4KW and solar PV 250-5000kW are based on PB Power (2012); the levelised costs of onshore wind >5MW, offshore wind and offshore wind Round 3 are based on Arup (2011); and the levelised costs of gas CCGT and nuclear are based on PB Power (2011). The levelised cost of electricity generation is defined as the ratio of the present value of lifetime generation costs, which includes capital and operating costs (including fuel and carbon costs based on central fossil fuel prices as published by DECC5 and the carbon price floor as set out by HMT6), over the present value of lifetime net electricity output.
	1 www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/about-us/economics-social-research/2127-electricity-generation-cost-model-2011.pdf
	2 www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/ro-banding/3237-cons-ro-banding-arup-report.pdf
	3 www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/renewable-energy,/4290-solar-pv-cost-update-report--3-feb-2012-.pdf
	4 These high/low ranges are the highest/lowest that credible experts believe costs could be in 2050. These cost estimates are taken from a wide range of credible published sources and are not government estimates. The upper end of the costs range is very pessimistic because it assumes no further technological innovation over the next forty years. Further details on the methodology underpinning these cost estimates is set out in the 2050 calculator wiki: http://2050-calculator-tool-wiki.decc.gov. uk/pages/1
	5 www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/about/ec_social_res/analytic_ profs/ff_prices/ff_prices.aspx
	6 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/carbon_price_floor_ consultation_govt_response.pdf

Energy: Wind Farms

Lord Donoughue: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assumptions are made on "write down" on the cost of wind power equipment when making provision for the subsidy for wind farm operations.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: This information is not collated.

Equality Act 2010

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Department for Education will publish its proposed review of advice for school leaders, staff, governing bodies and local authorities on the specific duties in the Equality Act 2010 that require every school to publish before 6 April 2012 information demonstrating how they are complying with the Act's public sector equality duty, and on preparing and publishing equality objectives; how many schools will be required to publish such information; what is the estimated cost per school; and how they will monitor compliance.

Lord Hill of Oareford: Advice for school leaders, staff, governing bodies and local authorities on the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 is available on the Department for Education website. This includes advice on how schools can comply with the general public sector equality duty set out in Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, and with the specific duties laid down in the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011. The advice was fully updated in September, following the making of the regulations on 9 September.
	http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/policiesandprocedures/equalityanddiversity/a0064570/the-equality-act-2010
	All schools other than those in the private sector are required to comply with the duty. The new single duty replaces three previous duties relating to race, disability and gender respectively, and its approach is greatly simplified, designed to be proportionate, flexible, light touch and considerably less bureaucratic than the previous duties. We expect that schools will find that action to comply represents an overall saving of time and resource, and that it will fit naturally into the work all schools do in any case to ensure that every pupil receives the best possible education and the best experience of school life.
	The transparency created by the publication of information and objectives means that monitoring of compliance can be done by a school's own community.

EU: Parliamentary Scrutiny

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 November 2011 (WA 70), whether they have set themselves a timeline for producing proposals for more effective parliamentary scrutiny of European Union affairs.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The system for scrutiny of European Union (EU) affairs is a matter for Parliament, and the Government cannot impose a timeline on the review of the scrutiny process.
	Parliamentarians have argued that scrutiny could be more effective, most recently in the other place during the debate on the treaty on stability, co-ordination and governance on 29 February 2012 (Official Report, Commons, col. 298-347). The Government will consider any suggestions for improvement and, in line with their policy on improving transparency and accountability, are fully committed to playing their part in ensuring the effectiveness of the scrutiny system on matters related to the EU.

EU: Parliamentary Scrutiny

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 30 November 2011 (WA 70), when they will publish the code of practice for enhanced scrutiny of the justice and home affairs opt-in.

Lord Howell of Guildford: Further to the Answer that I gave the noble Baroness on 30 November 2011 (Official Report, col. WA70), the commitments made in January 2011 for enhanced scrutiny of the justice and home affairs opt-in have been or are being implemented and have resulted in a number of debates in the other place on the UK's participation in proposed European Union legislation in that field. The code of practice that details these arrangements is in the process of final consultation and will be published in due course.

Government Departments: Energy Bills

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost to public funds of lights left on in government buildings overnight in the Westminster and Whitehall area.

Lord Marland: This information is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Government Departments: Media

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they operate a policy of refusing to answer some media questions on the grounds of disproportionate cost; if so, what is that cost; and if not, why.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: Individual departments are responsible for considering whether and how to respond to a question from the media.
	Guidance to government departments regarding disproportionate costs applies to written Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests.

Government Departments: Media

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the cost in the past year of all departmental media sections and their activities.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: This information is not collected centrally.

Government Departments: Staff Childcare

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government what provision is made by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and its predecessor departments for childcare for employees' children over the past 10 years; and how much was spent by that Department on the provision of childcare in each of the last ten years for which information is available.

Lord Marland: The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) does not make provision for childcare for employees children and has not spent any money on childcare provision for its staff since its creation in October 2008. DECC does not hold any information on the provisions available to staff prior to the department's creation.
	The department does offer staff salary sacrifice childcare vouchers, which are cost-neutral to the department.

Government: Agencies

Lord Liddle: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many central government agencies were in existence in each year since 1979.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: This information is not held centrally. Since 1991 the Cabinet Office publication, the List of Ministerial Responsibilities, has included details of executive agencies as part of ministerial portfolios. Most recent copies of the List of Ministerial Responsibilities will be in the Library of the House.

Government: Special Advisers

Lord Liddle: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many special advisers they employed in July of each year from 1979 to 2010 inclusive.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: For the period 2002 to 2010, this information was published on an annual basis and copies are available in the Library of the House. Prior to 2002, information was published intermittently and may be available in the Library of the House.

House of Lords: Reform

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask the Chairman of Committees what is the likely cost of making "such preparations as may be necessary" in the event of any Bill introduced by the Government in 2012-13 to reform the composition of the House of Lords receiving Royal Assent, as proposed in the House of Lords Business Plan 2012-13.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: The House of Lords Administration has not sought to cost such preparations, and does not plan to do so at this stage.

Inheritance

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review the use of trusts to protect the beneficiaries of inherited wealth.

Lord McNally: Trusts are a long-standing part of the law of England and Wales, as is their use by people who wish to give away their property to their family members or others before or on their deaths. We have no plans to review the use of trusts for these purposes.

International Labour Organisation: Work in Fishing Convention 2007

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to ratify the International Labour Organisation Work in Fishing Convention 2007.

Earl Attlee: The intention of Her Majesty's Government is that the UK should be in a position to ratify the convention when it comes into force internationally. ILO 188 will come into force 12 months after it has been ratified by 10 countries including eight coastal states. So far only two countries have ratified the convention, so the timescale is not yet clear.

Israel

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the proceedings of the International Conference for the Defence of Occupied Jerusalem recently held under the auspices of the Emir of Qatar; and whether they will take any steps to prevent any artificial alterations to the status and demographic balance of East Jerusalem.

Lord Howell of Guildford: We are concerned about Israeli actions in East Jerusalem, which we consider to be occupied territory, including those that have the potential to affect the city's status and demographic balance. We will continue to make clear these concerns to the Israeli authorities and the Municipality of Jerusalem, both bilaterally and in co-operation with our European Union partners.
	A solution to Jerusalem must be sought as part of a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, in a way that enables Jerusalem to be a shared capital for both the Israeli and Palestinian states. The solution must allow for all those people for whom Jerusalem means so much, to access and enjoy it.

Libya

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government which Commonwealth war graves cemeteries were recently damaged during protests in Libya over the burning of a Koran by United States soldiers in Afghanistan; and whether they have sought or received any assurances from the new Government of Libya about the future protection of such cemeteries.

Lord Howell of Guildford: On 24 and 26 February over 200 headstones and the Cross of Remembrance in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery in Benghazi were deliberately damaged, as were approximately a quarter of the headstones in the Benghazi Military Cemetery.
	Officials from our embassy in Tripoli immediately visited the sites and raised this issue with the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Benghazi Chief of Police. Our ambassador also raised our concerns with the Deputy Foreign Minister, the Minister of Interior and the offices of National Transitional Council Chairman Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister al-Kib. In response to these incidents, Foreign Minister Khayyal and Chairman Abdul-Jalil made statements condemning the attacks, and the National Transitional Government have published a statement on their official website, describing the damage as "unethical, irresponsible and criminal" and making clear that the Libyan Government "severely denounces such shameful acts and vows to find and prosecute the perpetrators according to Libyan Law". The Libyan authorities have instructed the police to make regular patrols to ensure no further attacks occur.
	The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is carrying out a detailed assessment of the damage and will conduct full repairs. In the interim period, temporary markers are being placed on the damaged graves.

Music: Youth Orchestras

Lord Aberdare: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many youth orchestras there are in the Greater London Authority area.
	To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of active youth orchestras across England.

Baroness Rawlings: The Government do not collate centrally information on the total number of youth orchestras in the Greater London Authority area, or across England.

Near Field Communication

Lord Kennedy of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of near field communications technology as a replacement for credit cards.

Baroness Rawlings: The development of near field communications technology is a commercial matter for the payments industry.
	This matter is being looked at by both the banking and mobile industries around the world. I can also confirm that UK mobile operators have formed a group to examine near field technologies.

North Korea

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Government of North Korea since the death of Kim Jong-il and the succession by his son, Kim Jong-un, about the possibility of access to the country for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other humanitarian organisations and human rights monitors.

Lord Howell of Guildford: In March, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials raised the question of access to North Korea for the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur with the North Korean Ambassador to London. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) met the North Korean Ambassador on 29 February 2012 and raised concerns over human rights. In January, our ambassador in Pyongyang also raised these concerns during a meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Kung Sok Ung. While we have not recently raised the specific issue of access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations, we will look for opportunities to do so. We remain in close contact with aid organisations operating in North Korea.

Pensions

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the currently used weekly cash amounts for the relative income thresholds set out in paragraph 7 of the response by the Government to the Second Report of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee of Session 2003-04, Cm 6200, including the figures for before and after housing costs and relative and absolute low income.

Lord Freud: Low-income thresholds are now calculated based on data for the United Kingdom, are equivalised using the modified OECD equivalisation factors and the absolute low-income threshold is based on 60% of the median equivalised household income in 1998-99. Table 1 shows the relevant thresholds, based on the 2009-10 Households Below Average Income series (the latest available).
	
		
			 Table 1: Latest relative and absolute low-income thresholds 
			 Income threshold In 2009-10 prices (latest available) 
			 Relative low-income (60% of 2009-10 median), Before Housing Costs £248 
			 Relative low-income (60% of 2009-10 median), After Housing Costs £214 
			 Absolute low-income (60% of 1998-99 median), Before Housing Costs £209 
			 Absolute low-income (60% of 1998-99 median), After Housing Costs £173 
		
	
	Source: Households Below Average Income series
	Notes:
	1. These statistics are based on 2009-10 Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This publication used disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
	2. Net disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax payments, National Insurance contributions, council tax-domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes.
	3. Figures have been presented on a Before Housing Cost and an After Housing Cost basis. For Before Housing Costs, housing costs are not deducted from income, while for After Housing Costs they are.
	4. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.
	5. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year. These statistics cover the United Kingdom.
	6. Incomes are given in pounds per week rounded to the nearest pound. Figures have been uprated using the relevant RPI-based inflation factors.
	The reply by the Government to the Second Report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Session 2003-04 was published in June 2004. The latest available low-income statistics available at that time covered 2002-03. These estimates were based on data for Great Britain, were equivalised using the McClements equivalisation factors and the absolute low-income threshold was based on 60% of the median equivalised household income in 1996-97. The relevant thresholds in 2002-03 prices are shown below. Note that the updated figures in Table 1 above should be used in preference to those in Table 2 below.
	
		
			 Table 2: Relative and absolute low-income thresholds used in the reply by the Government to the Second Report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee 
			 Income threshold (£ per week) In 2002-03 prices (used in the Government reply) In 2009-10 prices (latest available) 
			 Relative low-income (60% of 2002-03 median), Before Housing Costs £194 £234 
			 Relative low-income (60% of 2002-03 median), After Housing Costs £172 £205 
			 Absolute low-income (60% of 1996-97 median), Before Housing Costs £166 £200 
			 Absolute low-income (60% of 1996-97 median), After Housing Costs £140 £167 
		
	
	Source: Households Below Average Income series
	Notes:
	1. These statistics are based on 2002-03 Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This publication used disposable household income, adjusted using McClements equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living.
	2. Net disposable incomes have been used to answer the question. This includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax payments, National Insurance contributions, council tax - domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes.
	3. Figures have been presented on a Before Housing Cost and an After Housing Cost basis. For Before Housing Costs, housing costs are not deducted from income, while for After Housing Costs they are.
	4. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to a degree of uncertainty. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response.
	5. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year. These statistics cover Great Britain only.
	6. Incomes are given in pounds per week rounded to the nearest pound. Figures have been uprated using the relevant RPI-based inflation factors.

People Trafficking

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many victims of trafficking have been granted (1) extendable 12-month leave to remain at the request of a lead police investigator, and (2) leave to remain in other personal circumstances.

Lord Henley: Between 1 April 2009, when the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking was implemented in the UK, and 31 March 2011, which is the most recent period for which these data are available, 48 individuals who were conclusively found to be victims of trafficking were granted 12 months' leave at the request of the police due to their participation in a criminal investigation or proceedings.
	In the same period, 162 individuals who were conclusively found to be victims of trafficking were granted leave due to their personal circumstances. This includes grants of asylum, humanitarian protection and discretionary leave.

Ports: Liverpool Cruise Terminal

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Earl Attlee on 26 January (WS 79) concerning the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal, what repayment level has been deemed sufficient for the launch of turnaround (start or end of cruise) operations; and, if a decision has not been reached, when it will be made.

Earl Attlee: A final decision has not yet been reached. The Department for Transport expects to make a decision in the coming weeks. The removal of the grant condition precluding turnaround will also be subject to state aids clearance by the European Commission.

Prisons: Chaplains

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, instead of replacing the Chaplain-General of the Prison Service with a new Chaplain-General from the Church of England, they will consider appointing a non-denominational co-ordinator, with responsibility for assisting the chaplaincies of all faiths in their dealings with the Prison Service.

Lord McNally: The National Offender Management Service is currently considering arrangements for filling the vacant post of chaplain-general. An announcement will be made in due course.

Prostitution

Lord Dubs: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many arrests, prosecutions and convictions were made in each year since 2003 for the soliciting of women for sexual purposes by men under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985.[HL16140].
	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many arrests, prosecutions and convictions were made during 2008 and 2009 for loitering and soliciting for the purposes of prostitution under Section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959.

Lord McNally: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for soliciting of women under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985, England and Wales, from 2003 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in table 1.
	The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for offences of loitering and soliciting for prostitution under Section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959, England and Wales, in 2008 and 2009 is given in table 2.
	Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in May 2012.
	The data requested on arrests are not available.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office relates to notifiable offences only, provided at offence group level, for example violence against the person and sexual offences. From these centrally reported categories it is not possible to separately identify arrests for soliciting of women for sexual purposes by men under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985.
	The offence of loitering and soliciting for the purposes of prostitution under Section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959 is not a notifiable offence and does not form a part of the arrests collection.
	
		
			 Table 1 : Number of defendants proceeded against at the magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for soliciting of women under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985, England and Wales, 2003 to 2010(1)(2) 
			 2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008(3)  2009  2010  
			 Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 956 834 841 760 717 635 625 532 554 491 394 349 349 277 237 196 
		
	
	(1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
	(3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates' court for April, July and August 2008.
	Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.
	[Ref: PQ HL16140]
	
		
			 Table 2 : Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for offences of loitering and soliciting for prostitution under Section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959, England and Wales, 2008 and 2009(1)(2) 
			 2008(3)  2009  
			 Proceeded against Found guilty Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 775 500 664 496 
		
	
	(1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
	(3) Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates' court for April, July and August 2008.
	Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.
	[Ref: PQ HL16141]

Railways: Colne-Skipton

Lord Hoyle: To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Governance for Railway Investment Projects study into the re-opening of the Skipton and Colne rail link will take place; and what, if any, funding contribution they will make towards the cost of the study.

Earl Attlee: It is for the promoters of schemes, rather than for the Department for Transport, to commission and fund studies into the re-opening of lines such as the Skipton to Colne line. We are not aware that the local authorities in the area served by this proposed line have commissioned a study in accordance with Network Rail's governance for railway investment projects (GRIP) process.

Railways: Colne-Skipton

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to the re-opening of the rail link between Skipton and Colne as part of the National Rail Network; whether they will initiate a governance for rail investments projects study into this proposal; and whether they will establish what would be the cost of such a study.

Earl Attlee: The Government have not identified a need to re-open the Skipton-Colne route as part of the National Rail Network. Therefore, we have no plans to initiate a governance for railway investment projects (GRIP) study into this proposal.

Railways: Colne-Skipton

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will analyse the benefits likely to arise from a rail link between Skipton and Colne to employment in northern England, to diversion of freight from road to rail and to social well-being.

Earl Attlee: The Government have not identified a need to re-open the Skipton-Colne railway line either for passenger or freight services.

Railways: Colne-Skipton

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will commission a Governance for Railway Investment study of the Skipton to Colne rail link; and whether European Union regional funds may be available for such a study and for its subsequent construction costs.

Earl Attlee: The Government have not identified a need to re-open the Skipton-Colne route as part of the National Rail Network. Therefore, we have no plans to commission a governance for railway investment projects (GRIP) study into this proposal.
	It is for local authorities to take the lead in relation to reopening local lines and securing any funding needed.

Railways: Crossrail

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government who will be responsible for the operation of the Crossrail infrastructure in the central tunnel section; what signalling system is proposed for this section; and what arrangements are being made for the handover of trains at the tunnel portals between the tunnel infrastructure manager and Network Rail.

Earl Attlee: The infrastructure manager responsibilities for the Crossrail central tunnel section currently sit with Network Rail, although sponsors continue to consider with care how best to deliver these responsibilities as the scheme matures.
	A CBTC (communications-based train control) signalling system is to be installed in the central tunnel section of Crossrail. At the request of Crossrail Limited, a derogation from the European Commission for the use of this system was recently granted allowing it to be installed rather than the European train control system (ETCS). However to conform with this derogation Crossrail are required to develop a migration plan showing how they will in due course move from the CBTC system to ETCS.
	The handover arrangements between the central tunnel section and Network Rail infrastructure will be developed between the relevant parties over the coming years and are recognised as a significant issue to be addressed.

Railways: Crossrail

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assurances they have given on who is to be the operator of the tracks and signalling in the Crossrail tunnels.

Earl Attlee: Crossrail sponsors continue to consider with care how best the infrastructure manager (IM) role for the central tunnel section of Crossrail will be delivered and therefore who will be responsible for tracks and signalling.
	The most recent is proposal is that these responsibilities will move from Network Rail to Rail for London (RfL), a subsidiary of Transport for London.

Railways: Fares

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Atlee on 28 February (WA 347), which franchises are in revenue support under the cap and collar mechanism; which of these franchises have not been collecting fares effectively; how fare collection is monitored; and what sanctions exist to penalise franchisees for ineffective collection of fares.

Earl Attlee: At present, the following train operators are in receipt of revenue support: First Great Western, First Capital Connect, Southeastern, South West Trains, East Midlands Trains, CrossCountry and Virgin West Coast.
	The Department for Transport monitors the overall revenue collected by train operators against forecast levels every four weeks. Officials will seek an explanation in the event of a shortfall.
	The franchise agreement does not include any specific provisions allowing the department to penalise train operators who do not collect fare revenue effectively. This is because the train operator is incentivised to collect revenue as it has revenue risk, even when in revenue support. The train operator bears some of the impact of any reduction in revenue.
	There are bespoke requirements in the Greater Anglia franchise to reduce ticketless travel as the department has the revenue risk.

Railways: Overcrowding

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 6 March (WA 412), what plans they have to provide relief from overcrowding on trains, including the accommodation of suppressed demand.

Earl Attlee: Extra capacity is being procured from train operating companies to address crowding concerns. We have committed to fund major rail projects such as Thameslink in London and electrification from Liverpool through Manchester and Leeds to provide longer and faster trains. By July we will publish a High Level Output Specification setting out our plans up to 2019 and making clear the funds available to pay for this. Our forecasts include evaluation of suppressed demand.

Railways: Overcrowding

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 6 March (WA 412), what is the projected additional passenger demand at peak times on the United Kingdom's railways by 2020.

Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport is in the course of assessing the future volume of train passenger numbers as part of the analysis underpinning the forthcoming High Level Output Specification (HLOS), which will specify the improvements that the Secretary of State wishes to secure over the period 2014-19. The forecast change in demand by 2020 could then be inferred from this estimate.

Railways: Procurement

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 29 February (WA 359), who has led the procurement process for additional trains for the London Midland and TransPennine Express; and what has been the extent of the involvement of the Department for Transport.

Earl Attlee: London Midland led the procurement process for additional trains for themselves and First TransPennine Express.
	London Midland consulted the Department for Transport on aspects of the train specification and other commercial issues that might impact the department's business case for the provision of the trains. In addition, the department approved a number of the contracts and entered into direct agreements in accordance with standard process for the securing of new rolling stock.
	The department also negotiated deeds of amendment to the respective franchise agreements, the purposes of which were explained in my answer of 16 November 2011 (Official Report, col. 166-67W].

Railways: Wales

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to upgrade railway lines in Wales.

Earl Attlee: The Government are committed to electrifying the Great Western main line to Cardiff and the introduction of Intercity Express trains on services between London, Cardiff and Swansea. Further potential upgrades to railway lines in Wales including further electrification in Wales will be considered in the context of development of the High Level Output Specification for rail, due to be published in July 2012.

Roads: A55

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many fatalities there were on the A55 in Wales in (1) 2008, (2) 2009, (3) 2010, and (4) 2011.

Earl Attlee: There was one fatality in reported road accidents on the A55 in Wales in each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. Figures for 2011 will be available at the end of June 2012.

Roads: A55

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many heavy goods vehicles were checked on the A55 in North Wales during 2011 for (1) weight offences, (2) drivers' hours offences, (3) mechanical condition offences, and (4) speeding; how many of those vehicles, or their drivers, received an immediate prohibition; how many of those vehicles were registered outside the United Kingdom; how many such vehicles or drivers were subject to more than one prohibition notice; and what action has been taken in each case by the state in which the vehicle was registered.

Earl Attlee: The table below shows the enforcement figures by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency for heavy goods vehicles checked on the A55 during 2011. As prohibitions are recorded by offence; it is not possible to answer how many vehicles received more than one prohibition notice. Speeding offences and the action taken by the state is a matter for the police.
	
		
			 Nationality Vehicle Roadworthiness Inspections Mechanical Prohibitions Traffic Encounter Inspections Driver Hours Prohibitions Total Weighed Overload or Weighing Prohibitions 
			 Non UK 545 252 1422 366 93 69 
			 UK 204 106 544 164 21 12 
		
	
	Roadworthiness encounters are those which inspect the mechanics of the vehicle whilst a traffic encounter is non-technical and will check that the driver is complying with road rules and the vehicle has not been overloaded.

Roads: Speed Limits

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they propose to introduce the enforcement of 20 miles per hour speed limits; and what actions they are taking to assist police with enforcement.

Earl Attlee: Enforcement is a matter for the police. We are also currently reviewing our guidance on speed limits and we will shortly be liaising with the Association of Chief Police Officers about this precise matter.

Roads: Traffic Regulations

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to enable foreign drivers, especially from countries that have recently joined the European Union, to be aware of United Kingdom traffic regulations and to understand road signs across the United Kingdom.

Earl Attlee: Before driving in the United Kingdom, the onus is on individual drivers to familiarise themselves with the rules of the Highway Codes for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which explain traffic regulations and the most commonly placed traffic signs. The codes apply to all road users, irrespective of their nationality.

Schools: Dyslexia

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many primary school teachers have been awarded (1) continuing professional development certificates, (2) postgraduate certificates, and (3) postgraduate diplomas in dyslexia.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Scotland: Referendum

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Cabinet Secretary has instructed the Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Executive, Sir Peter Housden, to issue instructions to his staff to prepare for independence; and, if so, whether this accords with the principle of civil service impartiality.

Lord Wallace of Tankerness: No such instruction has been given by the Cabinet Secretary.

Serbia and Kosovo

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with European Union states that do not recognise Kosovo regarding the recent agreements reached between Serbia and Kosovo.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right honourable friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and the Minister for Europe, my right honourable friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) discussed the recent agreements between Kosovo and Serbia with the five non-recognising European Union states at the 27 February Foreign Affairs Council and 28 February General Affairs Council respectively.
	As the Foreign Secretary said in a statement on 24 February, the agreements on regional co-operation and implementation of integrated management of the Kosovo/Serbia border are crucial for ensuring that both Kosovo and Serbia continue their progress towards future membership of the European Union. A copy of the statement can be found here: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=735001182.
	We urge both Kosovo and Serbia to remain constructively engaged in the European Union facilitated dialogue. Their continued commitment will promote co-operation, improve the lives of their citizens and ensure both countries remain firmly on the path towards a more stable and prosperous future.

Syria

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne: To ask Her Majesty's Government which United Kingdom companies have been working in Syria in the past five years; and when they ended their operations in that country, if they have done so.

Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint: UKTI has assisted a number of UK companies seeking business in Syria in the past five years. However UKTI does not hold records of the UK firms doing business in Syria and hence cannot provide this information.

Transport: Lorries

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many of the lorries stopped at Dalar Hir near Holyhead in (1) 2010, and (2) 2011, were inspected; how many failed the inspection; and from which countries those vehicles came.

Earl Attlee: The table below shows the number of lorries stopped at Dalar Hir (near Holyhead) by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in 2010 and 2011 by country.
	
		
			 2010 Figures 
			 Country Roadworthiness Inspections Mechanical Prohibition Traffic Encounter Inspections Driver Hours Prohibitions Total Weighed Overload or Weighing Prohibitions 
			 Austria 0 0 3 1 0 0 
			 Belgium 6 3 7 4 0 0 
			 Bulgaria 2 1 7 2 0 0 
			 Croatia 3 1 2 0 0 0 
			 Cyprus 0 0 1 2 0 0 
			 Czech Republic 5 1 11 1 1 0 
			 Denmark 2 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Eire 327 110 526 133 36 14 
			 Estonia 0 0 1 1 0 0 
			 France 3 1 6 2 0 0 
			 Germany 8 2 14 1 2 1 
			 Great Britain 114 18 104 22 5 3 
			 Hungary 21 7 23 5 1 1 
			 Iceland 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Italy 6 4 8 5 1 0 
			 Latvia 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Lithuania 6 2 7 0 1 1 
			 Netherlands 26 9 42 10 1 0 
			 Northern Ireland 76 29 143 47 5 2 
			 Poland 82 20 114 10 9 6 
			 Portugal 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Romania 13 5 13 4 1 1 
			 Slovakia 0 0 3 1 0 0 
			 Slovenia 4 1 4 1 0 0 
			 Spain 6 2 7 0 0 0 
			 Switzerland 3 1 3 0 0 0 
			 Turkey 4 2 5 0 1 0 
			 Grand Total 717 219 1059 252 64 29 
		
	
	
		
			 2011 Figures 
			 Country Roadworthiness Inspections Mechanical Prohibition Traffic Encounter Inspections Driver Hours Prohibitions Total Weighed Overload or Weighing Prohibitions 
			 Austria 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Belgium 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Bulgaria 2 1 7 0 0 0 
			 Croatia 2 0 4 1 0 0 
			 Czech Republic 4 1 12 0 0 0 
			 Denmark 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Eire 422 160 679 147 81 60 
			 Estonia 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 France 3 0 3 1 0 0 
			 Germany 2 0 13 1 1 1 
			 Gibraltar 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Great Britain 90 20 88 21 10 6 
			 Hungary 11 4 17 2 1 1 
			 Italy 7 2 5 1 2 1 
			 Latvia 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Lithuania 4 1 11 0 0 0 
			 Netherlands 18 6 37 10 1 0 
			 Northern Ireland 107 37 162 38 8 5 
			 Other Country not listed 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Poland 47 14 75 10 6 5 
			 Romania 7 2 6 0 0 0 
			 Slovakia 7 2 9 4 0 0 
			 Slovenia 2 1 2 0 0 0 
			 Spain 1 0 3 0 0 0 
			 Sweden 1 1 1 1 0 0 
			 Turkey 3 1 5 1 0 0 
			 Grand Total 740 253 1148 238 110 79 
		
	
	Roadworthiness encounters are those that inspect the mechanics of the vehicle whilst a traffic encounter is non-technical and will check that the driver is complying with road rules and the vehicle has not been overloaded.

Transport: Trams

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many compulsory purchase orders were issued and enforced on properties as part of the Merseytram project.

Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport does not hold the information requested as this was a matter for Merseytravel as the promoters of the then proposed Merseytram project.

Transport: Trams

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are currently taking to stimulate local tram and light rail projects; and what is the timetable for any projects that are expected to be operational by 2020.

Earl Attlee: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 21 November 2011 (Official Report, col. WA 213), which demonstrates the support we are providing to tram and light rail schemes across the country.
	Since November 2011 the Department for Transport has announced:
	funding of up to a maximum of £371 million towards the total maximum scheme cost of £570 million for the extensions to Nottingham Express Transit. The extensions are expected to be in service by late 2014; £75.4 million towards the £128 million cost of the Midland Metro extension scheme in Birmingham, with the first new tram scheduled to come into service on the existing line in February 2014, the enlarged depot expected to be available in August 2013 and the city centre extension with the full new tram fleet expected to be in service from March 2015; andinitial funding approval for four additional tram vehicles for the Sheffield Supertram system, expected to be operational by late 2014, subject to final funding approval being granted.
	In addition, the Department for Transport is working with the light rail sector to take forward actions arising from the September 2011 report Green Light for Light Rail, in order to make light rail schemes more cost effective in the future.

Tunisia

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 27 February (WA 324-25), whether they will ask the European Union to examine each category of the frozen Tunisian assets, in each state, with a view to releasing them to Tunisian control for the purpose of economic development and increased employment.

Lord Howell of Guildford: The freeze on Tunisian assets was put in place against persons believed to be "responsible for misappropriation of Tunisian state funds and who are thus depriving the Tunisian people of the benefits of the sustainable development of their economy and society and undermining the development of democracy in the country". The council agreed to extend the freeze for a further year to avoid the dispersal of funds believed to be misappropriated from the Tunisian state. Further details are set out in the Explanatory Memorandum submitted to Parliament on 19 January 2012.
	The return of any frozen funds to Tunisia is subject to the national laws of each member state. Nevertheless, it is our strong belief that any illegally acquired assets removed from Tunisia should, following due legal process, be repatriated, in order to make these funds available for the benefit of the Tunisian people. We are in contact with the Tunisian authorities about the legal procedures that must be followed in the UK. The European Union has also offered technical assistance to Tunisia in this area.

Universal Credit

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) adults, and (2) children, they estimate will be lifted out of poverty by the universal credit according to the after housing costs income threshold in (a) London, and (b) the United Kingdom.

Lord Freud: The number of (1) adults and (2) children lifted out of poverty on an after housing costs (AHC) basis in (a) London and (b) Great Britain by the introduction of universal credit are given in the table below.
	The impact on poverty of universal credit in Northern Ireland is a matter for Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland.
	
		
			 Reduction in poverty on an AHC basis (1) adults (2) children 
			 (a) London 100,000 50,000 
			 (b) Great Britain 450,000 350,000 
		
	
	Source: DWP Policy Simulation Model
	The estimates given in the table differ from the poverty estimates presented in the latest universal credit impact assessment because those estimates are on a Before Housing Costs basis. The impact assessment states that in Great Britain universal credit will lift around 900,000 individuals out of poverty, including more than 350,000 children and around 550,000 working-age adults.

Vehicles: Semi-trailers

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty's Government why the conditions attached to the trial of longer semi-trailers do not restrict their access to urban areas.

Earl Attlee: The longer semi-trailers operating under the trial are within the maximum permitted length for heavy goods vehicles of 18.75 metres, do not exceed the permitted gross vehicle weight of 44 tonnes, and comply with current technical requirements applicable to heavy goods vehicles, including turning circles. They are therefore treated on a par with any other heavy goods vehicle meeting the maximum permitted weight and length.